​The Leawood Family Dentist Blog

If you've seen Dr. Jones for restorative work (ie fillings, crowns, etc.) you may have noticed the orchids on the credenza. Many people comment on them and ask how long we have had them...or if they are still alive (for the bloom-less ones).

A few years ago, Dr. Jones brought in a beautiful orchid that had lovely blooms and just brightened the area. We watered it, admired it, and loved it. Then one day we came into the office and all the blooms were gone. Huh. We waited and waited and nothing happened.

Shortly after that, the orchid mysteriously disappeared. Dr. Jones brought in another, just as pretty. This time, Linda (our roving office assistant), said that she was going to make sure that this one lived. She also decided that it needed a name...Lola. We've had her about 2 years and is currently in bloom!

A few months later, a patient brought in another orchid as a thank you for all the work Dr. Jones did over the course of a year. This new orchid was named, Cynthia, after the patient. She is about a year old and is in her sad, no-bloom stage.

Our newest addition hails from Trader Joe's...a steal at $8! She is a beautiful bright green color. So she was named Marguerite...like the lime margarita color :) She is about 6 months old and only has one flower that looks like it will drop tonight.

We've learned that the orchids bloom for several weeks, lose the flowers and look pretty sad for a while. But, the blooms always come back! We all get pretty excited when a new bloom, stalk, or leaf starts sprouting.

If you are in the dental chair, waiting to get numb, look to your right and check out our pretty orchids. If you are an orchid lover and have suggestions on care, please let us know!

Orchids when not in bloom need to be fertilized once every two weeks. They do not like wet feet, so drain well. They like to be in a tight pot so they have air roots and they bloom once a year, but the blooms last for a couple of months. I have two very happy plants. Will check yours out when I am in next time. Enjoy.